. Vivek Kumar Bains; . Rhythm Bains; . Vivek Gupta; . Sanjeev Kumar Salaria
Volume 11, Issue 2 , February 2021, , Pages 1-7
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Oral health-care providers are always at a risk of transmitting or acquiring airborne,saliva-borne, or blood-borne infections due to their proximity to the patient’s ...
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BACKGROUND: Oral health-care providers are always at a risk of transmitting or acquiring airborne,saliva-borne, or blood-borne infections due to their proximity to the patient’s mouth, contact withsaliva, and handling of sharp instruments. the aim this study was to evaluate the knowledge of thedentists regarding COVID-19, methods to prevent its transmission, and implications of COVID-19in dental treatment.MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a cross-sectional online survey. There were 35 questionsin total, divided into sections of knowledge of COVID-19, practices of personal protectiveequipment (PPE), and knowledge of implications of COVID-19 in dental treatment. Both conveniencesampling and snowball sampling were used, so that maximal participation could be ensured. Theresults were analyzed using descriptive statistics and making comparisons among various groups.The data were summarized as proportions and percentages (%). All the associations were testedusing the Chi‑square test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Statistical analyses wereperformed using SPSS version 19.0.RESULTS: 26.8% of respondents had a high knowledge, 61.5% had good knowledge, 10.1%had low knowledge, and 6 (1.5%) had nil knowledge about COVID‑19. No significant associationwas found between qualification and knowledge level among the respondents (P = 0.053). Bothgraduates and postgraduates had low knowledge regarding effective PPE components (P = 0.053),donning (P = 0.888), and doffing (P = 0.745). Only 52.9% of postgraduates and 43.7% graduatesanswered correctly about the sequence of donning, and 47.9% of postgraduates and 46.1% ofgraduates had knowledge regarding correct doffing sequence of PPE. Furthermore, knowledge waslow regarding the implications of COVID-19 in dental treatment.CONCLUSION: Although the dentists were found to have high/good knowledge scores regardingCOVID-19, there was a lack of knowledge regarding hand hygiene, proper use of PPE, and implicationsof COVID-19 in dental treatment. Thus, they need to be trained and sensitized regarding the same.
